Read More

Read More

A Surrey Police spokeswoman said: "The investigation is in its early stages. We are carrying out numerous enquiries to identify the offender and have linked in with Kent Police as part of these enquiries."

Posting on Twitter, the force said: "Officers remain in #SunburyCross area searching for man suspected of armed robbery. No identity confirmed at this time."

Inspector Derrick Laing said a man had "made off with an unknown quantity of money".

A Kent Police spokesman said: "Officers searching for Michael Wheatley are aware of a robbery that took place at a building society in the Surrey Police area.

"Kent Police is working closely with the MPS [Metropolitan Police Service] and Surrey Police as part of ongoing enquiries."

Wheatley, 55, was given 13 life sentences in 2002 for a series of bank robberies but was temporarily allowed out of HMP Standford Hill open prison, on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, and failed to return.

Eyewitnesses said a man armed with a gun burst into the Sunbury building society on Wednesday morning before grabbing cash and fleeing out the back door.

Ibby Sumer, the manager of the Golden Grill nearby, said customers believed it was the Skull Cracker, adding: "I heard a smashing noise and ran around the back gates. I didn't see anything but he must have just run past our shop."

A spokesman from Chelsea Building Society said they were "helping police with their inquiries".

"Nobody was hurt in the incident but staff were understandably shaken and upset," he added.

"The branch remains closed currently and we hope to reopen as soon as possible."

The armed robbery scene (Image: Charlene Butler)

The robber was described as a white man, aged in his late 40s or early 50s, around 6ft tall, of slim to medium build and with short grey hair.

He left the building society on foot but police are also investigating the possibility he may have got into a vehicle.

Detective Chief Inspector Chris Raymer said: "Officers were at the scene within minutes of the emergency call and are doing everything possible to find the offender, including recovering CCTV from the premises and surrounding area.

"Due to the nature of the offence and elements of the description, we have linked in with Kent Police as part of our enquiries and are working closely with them and colleagues in the Metropolitan Police - however, at this time, the identity of the offender has not been established.

"No doubt this robbery will unnerve other businesses in the area and the local community and I would urge anyone affected by the incident to contact their local neighbourhood team.”

Anyone with information on the incident should call Surrey Police on 101 quoting reference P14131967 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.